Opposition Focus: Burnley

Form

23/08/18 – Olympiacos 3-1 Burnley
19/08/18 – Burnley 1-3 Watford
16/08/18 – Burnley 1-0 Istanbul Başakşehir
12/08/18 – Southampton 0-0 Burnley
09/08/18 – Istanbul Başakşehir 0-0 Burnley

Tactics

Burnley play with overlapping fullbacks in a 4-4-1-1 formation, primarily focusing on Matthew Lowton’s crossing capabilities into the big striker, Chris Wood. A crisp passing team, Burnley have shown their strong build-up play and tendency to build numbers first. Jack Cork leads most attacks as he has a free role throughout the pitch, often times dropping back when Lowton or Stephen Ward push further upfield. After a surprising 3-1 loss to Watford, it will be interesting to see if there are any personnel changes as Chris Wood was well contained, or if Sean Dyche will find a suitable partner for the striker. Should this be the case, then our defender’s height will surely be tested. Watford seemed to have shocked the Clarets with their counter-attacking play, so expect Jack Cork to drop back to prepare for our counters. We like to play with the ball, but it may be a more pronounced strategy to play more directly and play more penetrating passes early.

Battle to Watch

Chambers v Wood: Both players are not known for their mobility, so it will be even more intriguing to see which big man can assert their dominance. This may be the match in which we are tested through the air more than ever. With Lowton’s crossing, it could be a tricky position for Calum Chambers, who is already under some scrutiny regarding his recent performances versus Spurs and Palace.

Danger Man

Burnley have multiple players who can take this role, but one that is looking hungry to score would be Chris Wood. Wood had only one real chance against Watford, and just one additional against Southampton. After scoring 10 goals last season, the New Zealand international will be looking to get off the mark.

Head-to-Head

Fulham wins 30
Draws 19
Burnley wins 45

Stats & Facts

  • In the past 20 years, Fulham have played Burnley in the Premier League, Championship, League One (then Division Two), League Cup and FA Cup. During this period, the Premier League is the only competition in which the Clarets have failed to win a game.
  • Fulham have won only 1 of the last 8 meetings with Burnley – a 3-0 Premier League victory at Craven Cottage in Feb 2010 with goals from Danny Murphy, David Elm and Bobby Zamora; Kevin McDonald played the full 90 minutes for the visitors.
  • The above encounter is the only occasion in which Burnley have failed to score in the last 10 meetings between the sides; the Cottagers have fired three blanks in that time.
  • At home, however, Fulham have fared better. Despite losing the last fixture 3-2 in March 2016, this is the Whites’ only defeat in the last 10 meetings at Craven Cottage, winning 7.
  • Both clubs have made their worst start to a league season since 2014/15. Back then, Felix Magath’s Fulham lost 7 and drew 1 of their first 8 Championship games leading to Kit Symons’ appointment as manager. Burnley, meanwhile, drew 4 and lost 6 of the opening 10 matches of their debut Premier League campaign and were eventually relegated in 19th position.

Last 5 Meetings

08/03/16 – Fulham 2-3 Burnley (Championship)
03/11/15 – Burnley 3-1 Fulham (Championship)
09/02/10 – Fulham 3-0 Burnley (Premier League)
12/12/09 – Burnley 1-1 Fulham (Premier League)
23/09/08 – Burnley 1-0 Fulham (League Cup)

Magic Moment

I’m sure even the most knowledgeable of Fulham fans would struggle to put the words ‘Magic Moment’ and Fulham in the same sentence when it comes to playing Burnley, so I’m really struggling here. In fact, has there been a less magical opponent over the years for us?

I’m grateful at least that we are playing at the Cottage on Sunday because we haven’t won at Turf Moor since 1951! So, I guess I have to go with our 3v0 triumph in February 2010, just a week before the knockout phases of the Europa League began against Shakhtar Donetsk. It was obviously a magic season for the Whites and this match will be remembered for David Elm bagging his only goal for the club.

Opposition View (@RickersTwickers)

How far do you think you might go in the Europa League and how do you think your squad will cope with the extra demands?

After losing 3-1 to Olympiacos in the away leg in Athens it will now be a tall order to progress to the group stages of the Europa League. The tie is not yet dead and an early goal for us at Turf Moor will make it interesting but realistically the Greeks must now be favourites to go through. Sean Dyche has rotated his squad during qualifying but this has only confirmed that the Clarets do not lack personnel but are short of quality, particularly in front of goal.

What are your expectations for Burnley this season and predicted league position?

It would be fantastic to repeat last season’s top seven finish, but that was probably a one-off on the back of some tremendous performances away from home. We are usually sound defensively but struggle to score so a mid-table finish, a few more goals and some exciting football this time around would be very welcome.

How do you see the game going & score prediction?

Will be a tough game at the Cottage as Fulham are a decent side who have perhaps been unlucky to lose both their games thus far. But Burnley are normally a hard team to break down so, with fresh legs in the side, I’m going for a 1-1 draw.

Match Prediction

This is the match that we need to come away with all three points. With a side that plays a similar style, it will be important that we maintain our game plan, but also take some chances in threatening areas. Despite the 3-1 loss to Spurs, the overall attitude seems to be encouraging and quite positive. There are still question marks in certain positions, but that is the nature of the beast when a new squad has been pasted into a previously successful, tactical system. With Burnley having a mid-week clash against Olympiacos in the Europa League, we should expect to get back to our possession football and take advantage of any exhaustion the Clarets may exhibit. The key for me will be who wants to take chances in advanced areas, whether it be a through pass like Johansen did for us all last year, or a Cairney shot on goal from outside the box.

With all that said, I’m predicting a 3-0 victory for us, Sess bags his first, Mitro scores the second, and Vietto finishes it off after a dazzling run. COYW!!